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History

The origins of wood-based materials go back to the 1940s when the chipboard production technology was developed. Armin Elmendorf is regarded as a pioneer of the new technology.

1960s saw the development and production of a wood-derived board called waferboard. The product was made of compressed pieces of wood, measuring 25 x 45 mm, arranged in different directions. The board was continuously improved until the 1980s, while 1981 saw the launch of the OSB.

The invention of the wood-based board made it possible to use young, low trees in the production process. Wood-based boards manufactured on the industrial scale could achieve the desired dimensions, thickness and resistance regardless of the size of the input product.

Manufacturing process

Oriented Strand Board is flat-pressed wood-based board with oriented wood strands. Flat strands with a thickness of 0.5-0.7 mm and a length of up to 140 mm are set in three layers, while the strands in the external layers are oriented in parallel lines and those in the internal layers perpendicularly to the major board axis. The strands are pressed under conditions of high pressure and temperature with the use  NO FORMALDEHYDE resins as binders.

High technical parameters of the SWISS KRONO OSB board are due to the fact that wood properties are retained, flat strands are levelled out in layers and long strands are overlapped. A high resistance to atmospheric conditions is provided by spraying the strands with a special size system and a paraffin emulsion in sizing machine SWISS KRONO OSB is manufactured on a continuous duty Conti-Roll press according to the most modern technologies and therefore it is characterised by the stability of shape, a very good resistance to atmospheric conditions and impacts, as well as a good sound insulation, easy workability and processability. The micro-structure of the interpenetrated strands prevents edge breaking off also in the case of edge joining with wood screws or nails, and important mechanical properties in framework construction.

Kronopol OSB is available in the following varieties: OSB/2, OSB/3 and OSB/4.

Board types

Applications

Due to their high resistance to air moisture, low absorbability and swelling, SWISS KRONO OSB/3 are especially suitable for the construction of buildings in the framework technology. They have appropriate strength parameters ensuring the required rigidity and strength of the building structure.

SWISS KRONO OSB/3 is the wood-based material of the future. High quality, environmental friendliness both in production and use, coupled with universal applications, are the most important benefits of SWISS KRONO OSB/3.

Quality

Any SWISS KRONO product has to meet very rigorous requirements in order to satisfy customer expectations. At every production stage the product undergoes strict quality control procedures focused on:

• type of wood, selection of trunks (incl. diameter and moisture content),
• strand shape and moisture content after drying,
• compression temperature and pressure,
• board density,
• swelling across the thickness,
• tensile strength according to the V-100 test,
• tear resistance,
• modulus of elasticity,
• moisture content,
• format of the finished board (thickness, appearance, edges).

Finished boards are regularly tested according to special control procedures and standardised tests.

Why OSB?

Because it is a wood-based board type with versatile applications and an excellent alternative to wood boards, plywood and traditional chipboard. It is available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses. An important reason for picking OSB is its the use of formaldehyde-free synthetic resins as binders, which classifies SWISS KRONO OSB/3 for the hygiene class E1.

SWISS KRONO OSB/3 is available not only in the straight-edge version for universal applications, but also in upgraded options for special uses, e.g.:

• as board with tongue-and-groove moulded edges along all sides or only along longer edges; for application in the construction of roofs and floors;

SWISS KRONO OSB/3 is also a revolutionary step ahead in wooden building applications. Houses built by the framework technology based on SWISS KRONO OSB/3 are:

Short construction process does not mean that houses are of inferior value – quite the opposite. Thanks to SWISS KRONO OSB/3 advantages, single- and multi-family framework buildings are constructed faster and thus cheaper. Erected with precision, they can last for dozens of years. What is more, the houses can be easily and economically heated. The overall heat transfer coefficient for a wall made in the framework system depends on the type and thickness of the insulating material. SWISS KRONO OSB/3 ensures healthy, user- and environment-friendly houses.

Things to remember

Before using SWISS KRONO OSB/3, you should take into account the following factors:

• directional strength properties of the board. They are different for the main and lateral axes of the board. Only the main axis should be subjected to bending stress in building structures. The carrying axis is easily recognisable by the longitudinally oriented strands visible on the board surface. The lateral carrying axis has the strength comparable to that of standard chipboard.
• The strength and resistance of the board along the main carrying axis is 2.5 times greater than the strength and resistance along the lateral carrying axis.